But now, nearly three years after the pandemic, infectious disease experts and those working on the front lines of the health care system are urging Canadians to wear masks again as hospitals face a tidal wave of multiple illnesses, including COVID-19. RSV cases have spiked unusually this fall and are filling hospital emergency rooms with sick children, health workers report, as a shortage of children’s medicine worries parents. At the same time, Canada is now officially in a flu epidemic, according to the federal public health agency, and there is increased concern from officials and public health experts about how new variants of COVID-19 could affect the population as the public heads indoors due to the cold weather. And while federal health officials strongly recommend that Canadians wear masks indoors, Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, said last week that it was up to the provinces and territories to make decisions about implementing the orders. “While no single layer of protection is perfect, when used consistently and together, the vaccine plus the layers can provide excellent protection against COVID-19 as well as other infectious diseases we may encounter,” Tam told a news conference. on November 10. Also, only half of Canadians have received a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to federal government data as of Nov. 6. However, several jurisdictions have stopped mandating masks, instead recommending the use of masks. The absence of new mandates comes as a recent NANOS survey found that seven in 10 Canadians would support the return of face masks to some extent. Fifty-two percent said they would support mandates. See what provinces and territories are doing around masks.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Health officials in BC say they are not reinstating the mask mandate at this time. The Ministry of Health told CTV News Vancouver on Tuesday that through infection with COVID-19 and vaccination, there is a lot of population immunity. The province’s health chief, Dr. Bonnie Henry, told reporters at a news conference Wednesday that the “heavy hand” of a mandate is not currently needed to send the message that masks are an “important tool” that can be used in each respiratory period. . “We should have one with us, we should use it in situations where it makes sense,” he said. BC officials also said RSV cases in Ontario are “more severe” than in BC and about a quarter of capacity was available in BC hospitals for pediatric ICU beds as of this week. Immunization of children is currently what is most needed, the ministry told CTV News Vancouver.

ALBERTA

In Alberta, Premier Danielle Smith told reporters Monday that a mask is a personal choice and those who want to wear it can. Her message comes as the province, particularly schools, battle the flu, RSV and COVID-19. He said the government was focusing on getting more painkillers for children and making sure hospitals could keep up with demand. CTV News Edmonton reported that absenteeism in Edmonton public schools reached close to 14 percent last Thursday. Catholic schools reported that about 15 percent of students were absent due to illness as of Monday.

Saskatchewan

On Monday, Saskatchewan Health Minister Paul Merriman told reporters the mask mandates had not been discussed with the province’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Saqib Shahab. Merriman said it’s a person’s choice if they’d like to wear one. At the same press conference, Shahab said that requiring masks in schools “probably isn’t a feasible thing at this point” and “may not be helpful.”

MANITOBA

Manitoba Premier Heather Stephenson said at a Nov. 10 news conference that the province has no plans to reinstate the mask mandate. However, he encouraged those “under the weather” to “protect others” and health workers. He did not specify what that protection would entail. CTV News Winnipeg reports the province is seeing increased hospital admissions, especially among children, for RSV and other illnesses.

ONTARIO

At a press conference on Monday, Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, said he “highly recommends” wearing a mask in all indoor public spaces. Hospitals in the province have reported dealing with an overwhelming number of sick children and pediatric intensive care units are operating above capacity, according to the Canadian Press. Influenza and RSV lead the admissions, and the wave of infections arrived earlier in the fall season than in previous years before the pandemic. Moore said the “difficult and complex” fall that was predicted has come to fruition and that with COVID-19, influenza and RSV circulating, Ontario needs to “use every level of protection we have.” However, Moore said he did not introduce a mask mandate as it had not worked in social settings before, and the announcement he made about the recommendations is in an effort to bring the public back “to basics” when it comes to preventing infections. “This protects our children and the youngest among us. Please parents, grandparents, siblings: If you have respiratory symptoms, you must cover those who are vulnerable,” he said. But Moore said if the strain on the health care system continues to mount, the mask mandate would be the “furthest” the province goes in terms of health restrictions. The health ministry is currently discussing mandating masks in schools as a possible measure, he said. Ontario Premier Doug Ford also urged the public to wear masks a day before Moore’s announcement, but did not issue a mandate.

KUBEK

In a move similar to Ontario, Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube said at a news conference Wednesday that he strongly recommended the public wear masks amid a “spicy cocktail” of viruses affecting hospitals, such as COVID-19, RSV and influenza. He also recommended hand washing and the public staying home if sick. Quebec Premier Francois Legault also said at a press conference Tuesday that he recommends residents wear masks in public, but added that it depends on individual preference. “It’s really the citizens’ responsibility,” he said.

NEW BRUNSWICK

New Brunswick has not reissued a mask mandate. CTV News Atlantic interviewed several Maritime residents who had differing opinions on whether or not a mandate would be welcome. But while many said they would be sad to see masks worn again, they would wear one if needed to protect others. CTV News Atlantic contacted the Department of Health in New Brunswick about the orders Monday and was told that if “the situation changes public health will determine a new approach.”

NOVA SCOTIA

Nova Scotia has not announced mask mandates since public health requirements for mask use expired in July. CTV News Atlantic contacted the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Strang on Monday about the orders and their request for an interview was declined. In an emailed statement, the office said: “Public health continues to evaluate the recommendations and will notify Nova Scotians if changes are made.”

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Prince Edward Island has not reissued a mask mandate for the general public. However, the province still has a mask mandate for hospitals, long-term care homes and community care homes. In a statement emailed to CTVNews.ca on Thursday, the province said PEI is experiencing an increase in respiratory illnesses, as are other provinces. “The mask mandate remains in place for hospitals and long-term care and community care homes in PEI. At this time, there is no public mask mandate,” said Morgan Martin, senior communications officer for the province’s health and wellness department.

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LAMPRADOR

At a news conference Tuesday, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said she could not implement a mask mandate as the province is not currently facing a public health emergency. Fitzgerald said she recommends wearing masks in places considered at higher risk for the spread of COVID-19 and other disease. The recommendations “may become stronger as time goes on” and the government continues to monitor the situation and will make decisions based on the evidence, he said. Newfoundland and Labrador is not seeing the same increase in disease as other provinces, he added.

YUKON

Yukon has made no move toward reissuing a mask mandate. The region lifted most health measures in March 2022 and lifted mask mandates in schools on May 24.

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

According to the territory’s website, coverage remains a recommendation. The region lifted the public health orders on April 1, 2022. However, coverage is highly recommended in many scenarios, such as if someone has tested positive for COVID-19, if they are caring for someone who has tested positive, and for those at higher risk of contracting COVID-19.

NUNAVUT

Nunavut has not announced that they are implementing a mask mandate, and the territory lifted mask restrictions in July. However, masks are still required at community health centres, elderly facilities and Qikiqtani General Hospital and Akausisarvik which requires patients and staff to wear masks. With files from CTV News Edmonton, CTV…